Avoid the Amerihost Inn Motel at Monroe

[Trophy Specialist]

I would not recommend that anybody stay at the Amerihost Inn at Monroe near Bolles Harbor as they are practicing unscrupulous business practices. They will quote a rate when you make a reservation and when you arrive they will jack up the rate. If you have a reservation there, I’d recommend canceling it pronto and booking elsewhere. If you will be fishing in the Monroe area this season and will need a room, email me and I can probably save you some headaches and money.

[EYESON]

Mike,
They did the same thing to us a couple of weekends ago. Quoted me a price on the phone and when we got there it changed. Your boat was there so I figured it was a mistake on my part, but now I think we got it stuck to us.

[Trophy Specialist]

If they have gouged you, I'd recomend doing at least two things: Call Amerihost Corporate customer service and file a complaint. Then call your credit card company and dispute the charges.

[Trophy Specialist]

Here's an update. I did contact Amerihost Corporate and they just sent me a form letter saying they were not going to do a thing about it, so complaining to them was a waste of time. I will not be staying at any Amerihost Inns in the future.

[Z202]

Thanks for the update and your efforts. Let them play in their own sandbox.
Just like water, there's other places to stay. Thanks for not bashing them
and now everyone can make an informed decision on how to deal with them.

[bigbob]

thanks for the heads up

[JJ Mac]

I would not recommend that anybody stay at the Amerihost Inn at Monroe near Bolles Harbor as they are practicing unscrupulous business practices. They will quote a rate when you make a reservation and when you arrive they will jack up the rate. If you have a reservation there, I’d recommend canceling it pronto and booking elsewhere. If you will be fishing in the Monroe area this season and will need a room, email me and I can probably save you some headaches and money.

What rate were you quoted and how much did they jack it up? There are always state taxes and commonly local "hotel and resort" taxes.

If in fact you were upcharged unethically, that's most unfortunate. Businesses and consumers need to be doing all they can to help improve tourism in Michigan, especially in a city that borders another state. In the lodging industry, I think they better be more concerned with occupancy rates than yield management strategies (getting the most money out of each room). They probably get plenty of business transients during the week. I come from the hotel industry, and I can tell you my philosophy is to not upset a customer over a rate discrepancy--way to much future business at stake, and bad word of mouth.

Myself, many times I'll call again and confirm a reservation before I get to a hotel, just to make sure they got the right rate. When entering a reservation, there are so many different rates and codes to enter in the computer, all while the phone is ringing, someone's on hold, and there is a line of people checking in. Mistakes can be made. If they are playing games I'll still have time to book with someone else, that night, and for all my future business.

[Trophy Specialist]

What rate were you quoted and how much did they jack it up? There are always state taxes and commonly local "hotel and resort" taxes.
In my case my rate was more than doubled (not including taxes and fees). I stayed at the Amerihost for almost three weeks. I made the reservation a month in advance and then double checked it a week prior to my arrival and it was confirmed then at the agreed upon rate that I reserved it for. They charged me the correct rate for the first two nights which was what I signed for when I arrived. Then on the third day, unknown to me, they bumped it up. I didn't find out that they raised my rate until I checked out. They had already charged my credit card prior to my checkout too. When I found out they overcharged me by hundreds of dollars I complained and spoke with the owner. She (new owner) was the one that was directly responsible for the decision to raise my rate. I had also arranged for a special charter fishing rate for my charter customers. They also tried to jack up the room rates for them way above what they had reserved them for. It was when I complained to motel management about over charging my customers that they raised my rates, but didn’t bother telling me about it. During my stay the Edison Plant (Fermi) was down and under construction. There were thousands of workers in Monroe and motel rooms were gobbled up and there were few rooms to be had, cut that no excuse to gouge people that already had reservations at guaranteed rates. For walk-ins they were more than tripling their rates during that busy period.

After I checked out, I told the owner that if she didn’t correct the overcharges that I would spread the word to other fishermen about her unethical business practices. She refused to make things right so I have spread the word about the Amerihost Inn on several forums and I also personally phoned every charter captain in the Monroe area (over 50 of them). The Amerihost will loose all their charter business over this, which equates to thousands of dollars worth of their business. My credit card company has already reversed my charges, but I am still POed about the whole thing which probably cost me some business because my customers might blame me for recommending the motel to them.

[rizutto61]

In my case my rate was more than doubled (not including taxes and fees). I stayed at the Amerihost for almost three weeks. I made the reservation a month in advance and then double checked it a week prior to my arrival and it was confirmed then at the agreed upon rate that I reserved it for. They charged me the correct rate for the first two nights which was what I signed for when I arrived. Then on the third day, unknown to me, they bumped it up. I didn't find out that they raised my rate until I checked out. They had already charged my credit card prior to my checkout too. When I found out they overcharged me by hundreds of dollars I complained and spoke with the owner. She (new owner) was the one that was directly responsible for the decision to raise my rate. I had also arranged for a special charter fishing rate for my charter customers. They also tried to jack up the room rates for them way above what they had reserved them for. It was when I complained to motel management about over charging my customers that they raised my rates, but didn’t bother telling me about it. During my stay the Edison Plant (Fermi) was down and under construction. There were thousands of workers in Monroe and motel rooms were gobbled up and there were few rooms to be had, cut that no excuse to gouge people that already had reservations at guaranteed rates. For walk-ins they were more than tripling their rates during that busy period.

After I checked out, I told the owner that if she didn’t correct the overcharges that I would spread the word to other fishermen about her unethical business practices. She refused to make things right so I have spread the word about the Amerihost Inn on several forums and I also personally phoned every charter captain in the Monroe area (over 50 of them). The Amerihost will loose all their charter business over this, which equates to thousands of dollars worth of their business. My credit card company has already reversed my charges, but I am still POed about the whole thing which probably cost me some business because my customers might blame me for recommending the motel to them.

I forone wont make the mistake of going there!!!!! Lost my business!!!!!!!

[EightIsEnuff]

Thank you for the information.
We all need a place to stay down there but we know where not to stay.

[jakeo]

Its sad that a business owner(of hotel)would not correct her wrong.
She might realize it when it comes time to pay the bills or the Monroe Chamber of Comerce or the BBB posts her as a BAD business.
Thanks for the notice Trophy!

[Ralph Smith]

Its sad that a business owner(of hotel)would not correct her wrong.
She might realize it when it comes time to pay the bills or the Monroe Chamber of Comerce or the BBB posts her as a BAD business.
Thanks for the notice Trophy!


The Chamber of Commerce or even the better business bureau might be a place you could also contact that could help do something for others in the future who unaware of this problem.

[Trophy Specialist]

The Chamber of Commerce or even the better business bureau might be a place you could also contact that could help do something for others in the future who unaware of this problem.
I did phone the Monroe Chamber. I typically write articles for magazines every year on fishing in the Monroe area and I often mention the Chamber as a contact in those articles. The Amerihost is a chamber member. I told them that as long as the Amerihost is a member of the Chamber that I will not mention the Monroe Chamber as a contact for area info in any of my articles as I wouldn't want the readers to get ripped off at that place. They sounded concerned, but they never did get back with me. I also contacted the Monroe Tourism Bureau and they were of no help and actually sympathized with the Amerihost, which sort of condoned the practice. I looked on the MI Better Business Bureau website and the Amerihost is not a member. Our BBB is one of the worst ones in the country anyway.

[emumikey]

Can anyone recommend a better alternative? Perhaps we should promote the good hotels here so people know where to stay and can avoid Amerihost.

[LabsRock]

For the past seven years I have had a boat docked at Luna Pier just south of Monroe. I can honestly tell you that you should stay away fromt he Amerihost and the hotel at Lua Pier. However, the Comfort Inn at LaPlaissance Rd (same exit as the Amerihost) is very fishermen friendly and will usually give you some sort of deal to fishermenn especially if you are staying for a week. Ask for the fishermen special when calling.

[CarpKing]

I have some affordable apartments for rent in Monroe.:)

[Lucky Dog]

I had the same problem at the Travel Inn in Monroe last week. They sold the ajoining ground floor rooms that we had reserved with a credit card. But offered us non ajoining 2nd floor rooms at 20 bucks a night more than our original reservations. We went down the road to another motel.

[STEINFISHSKI]

I called around over there for rates for a trip I am planning and the GM answered the phone and quoted me $59 per night for a Friday night stay. When I asked her if this was a garaunteed rate and if they would jack up the price once I got there she immediately mentioned Mike Veine and asked if I was a fisherman or staying on buisness. She told her side of the story which was that she could not honor the $25 per night originally quoted to Mike and gave it for the first night and informed him at check in that she could not afford to offer this rate for the entire stay. She knew that Mike had spread the word and had seen his posts without me ever asking about it. She also said if I found a lower rate she would match it. I made my reservation at the Comfort Inn and decided not to chance it at the Amerihost. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but definately some bad blood between Mike and Amerihost.

[Trophy Specialist]

I'm not sure what exactly happened, but definately some bad blood between Mike and Amerihost.
I you want to know what happened, then check my posts above. When I made my reservations (and later when I confirmed them) I was guaranteed a $25 rate for an extended stay. Part of the deal was that I also recommended the motel to my charter customers (dozens of them), whom booked a bunch of rooms at a special rate that was also negotiated and guaranteed by the management of the Amerihost. When I arrived, they did complain about the rates that they quoted me, but I held them to their contract. I even checked back on the second day with the manager and I was told that they were going to charge me the guaranteed $25 rate and they even apologized profusely. I did not find out about them changing my rates until I checked out, which incidentally was the same day that I found out that I’d have to replace the motor on my boat due to a breakdown; not a good day.

[STEINFISHSKI]

Sorry to hear about your day Mike, that definately was a bad one for sure. Just a heads up that they are talking about you too. I never mentioned anything except the rate garauntee when she went off about you. I chose not to stay there based on your heads up and bad experience with the new ownership.

[FREEPOP]

Well I used to stay there 2-6 nights per year but won't be anymore.

They had a verbal contract and then tried the last minute switcheroo!! That deserves bad press.


Did you send her a link to this thread? Over a thousand views, and climbing......

[LakeErieMichigan]

I would not recommend that anybody stay at the Amerihost Inn at Monroe near Bolles Harbor as they are practicing unscrupulous business practices. They will quote a rate when you make a reservation and when you arrive they will jack up the rate. If you have a reservation there, I’d recommend canceling it pronto and booking elsewhere. If you will be fishing in the Monroe area this season and will need a room, email me and I can probably save you some headaches and money.

Im just curiouse as to where you'd would refer someone?

[Fishfoote]

My former employer (the outlet center near it) shares an easement with the hotel and has other ties - if I were the owner I would want to know about problems, so if possible I could fix them.;)

[Splitshot]

Mike,

Last year when we stayed in the area we saved money thanks to you. I am putting this chain on my do not book list which goes out to family and a circle of friends. Many of whom stay in the area when the walleye run is on.

Your a stand up guy Mike. Thanks for the heads up!

[LakeErieMichigan]

(/quote)I had also arranged for a special charter fishing rate for my charter customers. They also tried to jack up the room rates for them way above what they had reserved them for. It was when I complained to motel management about over charging my customers that they raised my rates, but didn’t bother telling me about it. During my stay the Edison Plant (Fermi) was down and under construction. There were thousands of workers in Monroe and motel rooms were gobbled up and there were few rooms to be had, cut that no excuse to gouge people that already had reservations at guaranteed rates. For walk-ins they were more than tripling their rates during that busy period. (/quote)

I would guess that your customers rates included your rates, and then perhaps something got messed up and they posted charges to your room....

[HOPTOAD]

I work in the hotel industry. What I am shocked about is the fact that when you arrived I am sure that you signed a peice of paper ( registration card ) that had the rate printed on it. Once signed that is a legal contract between the hotel and the customer they cannot raise or even lower the price of the room without you signing a new registration card or initaling beside the changed rate. This practice is/was totally unethical and you should write a letter to Amerihost Corperate office if that doesnt work just call the customer service/reservation # and if the person you speak with doesnt handle the problem to your satisfaction ask to speak with their supervisor. This will handle the problem you just have to get into contact with the right people. Glad you got your money back but this should not be allowed to continue, way to stick it to em by posting it on the internet.
Good Luck
HOPTOAD

p.s They might be a franchised from the corperate office if so find out the management companies name and call and speak with them.

[FreebirdII]

I would stay at Comfort Inn (same exit) or north at the Hoilday Inn Express (exit 15). I live in Bolles and have heard of the problems with Amerihoust. Avoid it at all costs.

[Trophy Specialist]

I work in the hotel industry. What I am shocked about is the fact that when you arrived I am sure that you signed a peice of paper ( registration card ) that had the rate printed on it. Once signed that is a legal contract between the hotel and the customer they cannot raise or even lower the price of the room without you signing a new registration card or initaling beside the changed rate. This practice is/was totally unethical and you should write a letter to Amerihost Corperate office if that doesnt work just call the customer service/reservation # and if the person you speak with doesnt handle the problem to your satisfaction ask to speak with their supervisor. This will handle the problem you just have to get into contact with the right people. Glad you got your money back but this should not be allowed to continue, way to stick it to em by posting it on the internet.
Good Luck
HOPTOAD

p.s They might be a franchised from the corperate office if so find out the management companies name and call and speak with them.

I did contact Amerihost Corporate and complained. The Monroe Amerihost is a independently owned franchise and they told me that I'd have to work it out with the owner, which is the person I have been incontact with and called the shots on the price increases.

[Spanky]

I have never ever seen a roomat any hotel/motel chain for 25 bucks a night, especially on a weekend. But if thats what you had arrainged with them, they should have stuck with it. I stay at Best western when I go there, and love their service, but the rates are 3 times the 25 bucks. If you think you go jacked by paying 50 bucks a night, try getting a room there on Race weekend, that is truly criminal with most being 100-150 bucks a night!:evil: